A Bollywood Big Night In

A 'Big Night In' - The perfect social life compromise for parents.  All the fun of going out whilst staying at home - no taxis, no designated drivers, no babysitters, no need to even dress up (or get dressed at all if you are that way inclined!)  Sounds ideal.

So when challenged to come up with an idea for the ultimate Big Night In by Little Stuff and Two Little Fleas, my mind went into overdrive, thinking of ways to have fun at home with a mahoosive £750 budget. Just imagine what that could buy you!  Combine this spending power with a bit of imagination and you have the recipe for a night in to remember.

My usual idea for a good night in would consist of a takeaway curry and a glass of beer for myself, Ian and the older kids. So I would use this as the seed from which to grow my grand idea for a Big Night In.

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Firstly I would need to pick a suitable theme to add some glitz and glamour to the event.  So I'm going with Bollywood!  It's theatrical, it's colourful, it's exciting and it lends itself beautifully to my favourite Indian cuisine.  A real excuse to indulge our flamboyant sides and immerse ourselves in the exotic, rich culture providing a fantasy escape from our everyday lives.

My Guests

I'm lucky to have such an amazing, close family.  My older kids are also my best friends and we have a huge amount of fun when we get together.  Naturally they would be on my VIP list along with their partners. When we have a family get together it's like having an instant party so we're half way to an amazing night already! Ever since my eldest children spread their wings to start their new lives of work, university, parenthood and general grown-upness, I have loved having an excuse to get them all back into the nest. A Bollywood Big Night In would be that perfect excuse!

Decor

I would hire a pagoda marquee for the garden and would hang colourful drapes of red and gold alongside glistening fairy lights to make a palatial and luxurious backdrop to my family party.  Cushions on the floor would make a comfortable and relaxing space to relax, chat, laugh and generally celebrate our big night in.

Clothing

I have always longed to dress up in a gorgeous silk sari and have Ian wear a Shirvani shirt.  It is such a stunning look.  We would feel like Bollywood film stars!  Looking on Ebay, you can pick up a gorgeous outfit for as little as £35.  As hosts we owe it to our guests to get into character (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) Dressing up would add to the spectacle and make our night in even more special. Some DIY henna mehendi hand painting would be a fun activity to try out on each other. 

I'd have some bindi jewels, silk scarves and other Indian accessories on hand so everyone can dress up and get fully immersed into the theme and I'd set up a photo booth to record every little detail of our big night in.

Food

My local Indian, Oruna Cuisine, serves the most exquisite food...paneer tikka massala, tarka dal, mushroom biryani...my mouth is watering just at the thought of it.  I'd commission them to create a sensational vegetarian banquet delivered to our door.  I love eating good food and sharing the pleasure with my family.  I can just imagine how wonderful it would be, lounging in our Indian themed pagoda, eating a culinary feast together whilst wearing authentic Indian outfits.

Music

A bit of Bollywood's finest music would get us up and dancing.  We could copy the Pussycat Doll's moves in the Jai Ho video and work off some of the calories from our Indian feast!  It would be hilarious (if you saw me dancing you would understand just how funny it would be) - and the real magic of a big night in is sharing laughter and making memories, so it would be a perfect addition to the evening!

Drinks

It's always fun to make up some cocktails and add all the paraphernalia to turn your drink into something super impressive!  Some fruit and some straws can transform a non-alcoholic mocktail into something quite stunning.  I'd love to set up a cocktail bar with the ingredients for a few delicious Indian inspired cocktails. How about Mango Mojito or a Chai Martini or a Vodka Lassi? It would be fun to shake up some delicious drinkies to enjoy and as nobody is driving we wouldn't have to worry about that. (The cocktails may also help loosen our limbs for our Bollywood dancing!)

Cake

No party, event or big night in is complete without a cake.  I would commission a cake from a fabulous local baker, that would encompass the theme perfectly. Vibrant shades, hand painted gold detail, paisley, bold floral patterns and intricate Indian designs in fondant icing would adorn a luscious, rich chocolate, truffle cake. It'd be a real centrepiece to the event and I can just imagine how totally delicious a dessert it would be.

Just take a look at Bollywood Cakes on Pinterest to feast your eyes on how beautiful this cake could be!

Budget

Marquee Hire £150

Drapes and cushions from Ebay £150

Sari £35

Shirvani Shirt £35

Indian banquet £150

Cocktail Ingredients £100

Mehndi henna, bindi jewels etc £50

Cake £80

Total £750 (Budget well and truly blown but it would be totally worth it!)

What Do You Feel Like Tonight??

I will never forget the launch of a new cooking sauce and its advertising campaign that hit our TVs back in 1993. My kids singing "I feel like Chicken Tonight," while flapping their arms like crazed chickens still sticks in my mind!

Now, twenty years later the range is expanding with a brand new selection of Tonight sauces in six new flavours that are no longer restricted to being made with just chicken.  As a vegetarian, I have always found the reference to meat in the brand name a bit unnecessary, especially as the sauce itself is generally veggie friendly and can easily be made up using meat alternatives such as Quorn, soya or TVP . So the dropping of the "chicken" in the Tonight sauces name makes the brand far more accessible to me and my family.  I really like the new look labels and the "Tonight I feel like..." line is a clever modernisation of the branding slogan.

The new vegetarian friendly flavours are:

Spicy BBQ
Chile Con carne
Mild Curry
Sausage Casserole

Using Quorn mince, pieces, fillets, steak strips and sausages, I can make some hearty meals in minutes to feed the family.

*There are also Beef and Ale Casserole and Cottage Pie varieties, but as they contain beef extract are not suitable for vegetarians. Shame.  But I will pass them on to be tested by one of my more carnivorous family members!

I was sent a hamper of Tonight sauces and some fabulous treats so I can make the most of the time saved by making quick and easy family favourite meals without the fuss!

Dad's Tonight

What beats a curry with pilau rice, mango chutney and naan breads while watching a bit of Top Gear?  Just add a bottle of beer (or two)  and that is many blokes best night in.  The curry sauce is creamy and mild with a 100g serving containing just 95 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat.  So even health conscious dads can indulge in their favourite food.

We used a pack of Quorn pieces and some frozen mixed vegetables to the Tonight curry sauce and the result was a tasty and hearty curry.  It went perfectly with a side of Jeremy Clarkson on the TV.

Mum's Tonight

After saving time on the cooking there is time to kick back and unwind in a tub full of bubbles with a scented candle.  Bliss.

Leaving the kids with a yummy Sausage Casserole made with Quorn sausages and sliced mushrooms gives me some peace and quiet!  The sauce is packed with chunks of swede and carrot and contains herbs making it a lovely hearty dish.  It cooked in the oven in just 20 minutes.

Girls' Tonight

A chick flick and a good gossip is top of the list when it comes to a girls' night in with my girls.  A nice veggie Chilli Con Carne served with tortilla chips is the perfect supper to accompany a good Kathyrn Heigl movie.

I made it using a pack of Quorn mince and added a can of butterbeans too.  The Tonight Chilli Con Carne sauce was rich with a nice hint of warmth and a spattering of kidney beans.  It made a lovely girls' night supper while we watched 27 Dresses! (Great film for anyone who loves a good girly romcom!)

All in all, I am very impressed with the quality of the Tonight sauces when it comes to making a quick and easy dinner in a flash just by adding a packet of Quorn and some vegetables.  It's nice that the majority are veggie friendly and the labelling is clear.  It would be really nice if a veggie alternative serving suggestion was also included on the label. Tonight sauces would make a good store cupboard staple for those of us who don't eat meat.  It may also encourage others to try a meat-free way of preparing the Tonight sauce, introducing them to veggie cuisine in an easy way.

They cost £1.99 each and are available in all major supermarkets.

Back At School - Products Round-Up

We're two weeks in to the new school year and Freddy has caught his first bug.  Poor little man is riddled with cold.  My Back To School wall chart from Boots has hints and tips for keeping little ones well and recommends the Boots Cold and Flu Defence Spray as a good way of reducing the severity and duration of a cold.  It might prove a good investment!  You can find the FREE chart online here.  It has some great advice (including a little gem of wisdom from yours truly regarding keeping little ones well hydrated!)

Boots also sent me some handy items for my medicine cabinet.  This has come in handy as we have had a cut knee to deal with already after Freddy fell off a scooter.  A First Aid Kit is definitely a must-have when you have children!  The Boots Complete First Aid Kit has a great selection of bandages, wipes, plasters, dressings, tape etc. so you can deal with everyday accidents from grazes to burns to sprains.  The first aid booklet is very useful and everything is contained in a handy zip up case. (rrp £19.99)

At the moment, a clean school uniform stays looking smart on Freddy for approximately 30 seconds.  We have seen paint splodges, school lunch spills and dirty knees already.  Dr. Beckmann have helped save the day thanks to their Stain Survival Kit that I was sent to try. It can help keep the kids' uniforms clean by treating stains caused by felt tips, pens, crayons, yogurt, fruit juice, carrot, egg, ink and a whole host of other common stains using three of their specific stain removers. (rrp £3.99)  I'll be trying out the in-wash Stain Remover and Hygiene White next week (rrp £1.99 and £2.25 for 5 sachet packs) as Kizzy is off on a residential, activity trip on Wednesday where she is guaranteed to get covered in mud.  That is one load of laundry I am not looking forward to!  You can take a look at their product range, information and testimonials online.

www.dr-beckmann.co.uk

I went to the Tots 100 Blog Summit at the weekend and took part in the Cow & Gate #fruityfun blindfold taste test, trying homemade fruit purees against their new 100% Fruit pouches.  I was first to take the challenge and tried the apple purees.  My favourite one was surprisingly the Cow & Gate pouch.  It had a far fruitier taste than the homemade puree which was quite bland by comparison.  Later on I tried the Banana and Strawberry puree and again found the Cow & Gate pouch far fruitier and fresher tasting.  Maybe it is because the ingredients used by Cow and Gate is baby grade, especially sourced fruits which are of the highest quality.  Nothing is added apart from a little extra vitamin C. I picked up a few freebies from the Cow & Gate stand and will definitely be looking out for these instore.

I love the convenience of the pouches and although they are marketed for babies, my older kids still love slurping them straight from the pack.  They are excellent for lunchboxes and Freddy will be more likely to eat and enjoy a fruit pouch than he would a whole apple (which can be tricky for a 4 year old with baby teeth and the lure of a playground calling). Anything that makes packed lunches easier for him to eat get a thumbs up from me.

Sistema Lunchboxes have proven to be a godsend so far this term.  The compartments keep food separate and safe and minimize the need to pack things up into plastic food bags which is good for the environment and for my pocket.  The drinks bottle doesn't leak and is a good size.  As it's refillable we are again saving money and as we're not buying individual cartons and bottles we are being eco-friendly.  I went a bit mad before term began buying loads of Sistema stuff for all three of my school and college kids.  But I'm so glad I did as it is proving to be more cost effective long term.  The Quad lunchbox is on sale for just £2 at my local Asda so I may have bought a couple more for spares!

Money Saving Advice For My Children

Dear Kids,

This letter is in response to Think Money's challenge, which asks bloggers 'what's the most important lesson to teach your kids about money'.  I could write about pocket money or popping pennies in piggy banks or earning cash by doing extra chores, but I'm not. Instead, I'm going to tell you about how being sensible with money changed our family's life and demonstrate to you by example why it is so important to never ignore your financial responsibility and to always think forward to your future.

Fifteen years ago, we lived in a housing association flat. I hope that those of you old enough don't remember much about this time of our lives. Living below us were the local drug dealers with their barking dogs, furniture-shaking loud music and neverending procession of friends who visited at all hours, loudly proclaiming their arrival with the shouting of obscenities. Although we did what we could to make our flat homely and welcoming, the fear, noise and intimidation stopped our 'home' being a happy one.  We made a decision to get ourselves out for the sake of you - our amazing children who deserved so much better.

Your dad wasn't earning much in his job at a warehouse, money was incredibly tight and we knew we had to earn more and save more if we wanted to better ourselves. So your dad went to night school to get himself some professional qualifications in ICT. Once qualified, he went on to get a job working shifts for a telecoms company that earned enough for us to be able to afford a mortgage on a semi-detached house further up north, where properties were much cheaper than where we were living in Hampshire. We saved hard, cutting our outgoings down to the barest minimum. A few months later I moved into our new house with you kids while your dad continued to work down south.  He worked around his shifts, commuting between Shropshire and Hampshire which was grueling. But we all coped, even though dad would sometimes fall asleep during his dinner because he was so exhausted.

Eventually he found a new job in Birmingham that paid more than his shift work.  The twice daily 60 mile trip down the M6 was made on a motorbike for years as it saved on travel expenses. Some days your dad would get home so cold that he would have frost on his eyelashes, but we carried on.  We continued to save every spare penny and as dad's pay increased we were just able to afford a new four bedroomed detatched house on a brand new estate.  That was eight years ago.

Now we have a lovely home and a comfortable life, where I am afforded the luxury of being a stay at home mum, financially supported by your dad, so I can be at the beck and call of you kids.  I feel incredibly blessed.  But I remember the journey we have been on to get to this point.  It wasn't easy and we worked hard to get to where we are now.  Every penny we earned was spent wisely and with thought.  We never ever went into debt, going without rather than overspending.  We saved our way out of our predicament and bettered our lives by working together as a team with the same goal in mind.

If there is one piece of simple advice I can give you, it is to always think before you spend.  I have brought you up to respect the value of things and to appreciate the cost of living.  So don't go into anything blindly...just stop and think and reason.

Try and save, even if it is just a little bit each month.  Work hard and get some money behind you.  You've had your own bank accounts since you were babies, so put them to good use! I want you to have nice things but not to be wasteful with your hard earned cash. Buying those designer clothes might make you feel flash but there are cheaper alternatives that look just as lovely. Those new release computer games are very tempting, but couldn't you wait a little while longer and buy it secondhand after it's been out for a while? Avoid impulse buys. Always ask yourself...do I actually need it or do I just want it?  If you don't need it, set yourself a time frame to save up for it.  After you have the money, maybe you will realise that you would rather have that cash in the bank as savings.  If not and you decide that you do really want the item, at least it is all paid for and you will appreciate its value all the more. Avoid the debt trap because it can create a devastating spiral that is so difficult to escape from.  Material possessions really won't make you as happy in the short term, as making a good life for yourself will in the long run.  Honestly.

Set aside money for bills every month so you don't get behind with essential payments. Always make sure you know what's in your account so you don't end up short.  Being aware of incomings and outcomings is essential to successful budgeting. Write it all down and calculate what goes in and out so you can take control.  (Some accounts such as the thinkmoney personal account do this for you to help you manage your cash by setting aside money for regular commitments leaving you access only to what's left.)

Takeaways and eating out should be saved for special occasions, home cooking is so much cheaper and cooking something delicious feels so satisfying. Shop wisely, looking out for the special offer staple items in store. Plan healthy meal ideas on a budget.  Have fun eating well for less. Try the Value labels - some are surprisingly good!  We wouldn't be where we are now if we had wasted our money on fancy food.  We lived on 3p Tesco Value Baked Beans and eeked out our value mince with grated potatoes.  But it was an adventure!

I wish I had known back when we were struggling that everything would be worth it. That this rite of passage that we went through would make us stronger. That saving a few pounds every month would provide an invaluable pot of cash when it was needed the most. That small sacrifices all add up and provide something so much better at the end of the day. That with a bit of budgeting and self-control you can make your money work for you!  And that the rewards for tomorrow are a million times better than having the latest computer game or Nike trainers today.

I hope you will all have happy successful lives, but unless we win the Euromillions or you become a best-selling author or Premier League footballer, you will need to think about your financial future carefully. Think about where your dad and I started out from and know that you have the power in your hands to manage your money successfully and make every penny count.  Don't look at this as a negative thing, embark on it as a great adventure! So when you are saving money on your insurance policies by using cashback and comparison websites, or whilst you cut your weekly expenditure by shopping at Aldi, smile to yourself and remember that every penny saved is an investment in tomorrow! Good luck!

Love,

Mum xxx


This is my entry into the Children's Financial Advice Competition with www.thinkmoney.co.uk.

What Fred Said This Week

Another week of Fred-isms has kept me entertained and delighted, as I get to understand the world according to Freddy.  I love his take on things and the way he articulates himself.  He is learning so much and his imagination is developing beautifully.  4 is a great age!

At bedtime.

Me: Close your eyes.
Freddy:  Is that so the dreamworld can come into my eyeballs?

About Jesus.

Freddy:  Who's Jesus?
Me: He's a man that some people think is the son of God who did lots of good and kind things for people.
Freddy:  Is he Mike the Knight?

On Diets.

"You could get skinny if you go to the doctors for a hoperation to take off your skin, take out some bones and put some skinny skin back on."

Personal Hygiene.

"I smelt something today.  I thought it was a fart but it was just someone's stink."

On School.

"I had a really good day.  I didn't even fall over."

On his family.

"Mummy smells of bananas and custard.  Kizzy smells of chair fluff.  Ella smells of love and rainbows!"

On beards:

"The spikes on daddy's face make my chin feel all scrumbly!"

On having his photo taken:

"I don't want to smile, I want to look cool!" (the resulting photo really is pretty cool!!)

On Injustice:

Freddy came in crying indignantly and saying Kizzy was being mean to him.  I asked what happened and he said Kizzy had told him loudly to 'Stop It'.  I asked him what he was doing for her to shout at him like that and he replied "hitting her with a stick!!"

In the Queue at Morrison's we were behind a soldier in uniform.

Freddy: Why is that man wearing those clothes.

Ella: Because he is a soldier.

Freddy:  Does he fight baddies? (followed by very loudly) IS HE A NINJA??!!

Thankfully the soldier thought it was very funny :)

Carex Hand Cream

We are big fans of antibacterial hand gel here Inside the Wendy House.  Ever since the swine flu epidemic of 2010, we've carried around a bottle to keep our hands as germ free as possible when out and about.  Even Ella keeps some in her school bag.  But some of them smell unpleasant and others leave your hands feeling dry, making some brands unpleasant to use.  So, the launch of the new Carex Hand Creams might just be the answer.

The moisturising hand cream comes in two varieties Nourish and Protect with Vitamin E, and Hydrate and Protect with Aloe Vera.  They feel lovely on the skin, smell pleasant and still have the reassurance of anti-bacterial action.

The hand creams are very pleasant to use, feel light and refreshing and rub in easily leaving no stickiness or residue.  It feels nourishing and pampering, yet protects against germs by working with the skin's natural protection barrier.  Hands feel soft and smooth after use.

The handy sized tubes are perfect to pop into a bag for use on the go.

Available from Sainsbury's and Superdrug they have an RRP of £2.49.

Top Tips for getting Back to Work

Now Freddy is at school full time I am a stay-at-home-mum with no children between the hours of 9 and 3. My thoughts are turning more towards the prospect of finding a part-time job or maximizing my earning potential working from home.  There's lots to think about!  This guest post from Everyday Effects contains some good ideas for parents looking to get back to work.

Many mums and dads change the structure of their professional lives when they have children.

Some parents decide to leave their jobs in order to focus on raising their children, some change their industry or office location so that they are under less pressure or working closer to home while others reduce their hours or work flexi-time so that work fits more conveniently around family life.

Maybe you made a change to your working life when you started your family and now that your kids are more self sufficient you’re thinking about another big change.


A new direction


One of the biggest decisions you will face when going back to work is which field you want to work in. Whatever you decide, it will mean a change in your domestic routine which can be eased by the P&G Everyday Effect campaign.


Do you want to return to your previous profession? If you’ve taken a career break there might have been changes within the sector or new systems put in place so you may need to brush up on your skills. On the other hand, you may take your return to the workforce as an opportunity to change career paths. This might also need you to retrain or refresh.


Going back to work doesn’t necessarily require a big new career move though. You might decide it would be more suitable for your family to go back to work in a job which doesn’t demand too much of your time or energy.


Back to school


Nowadays, there are countless opportunities for retraining and updating skills. Many educational establishments have adult education arms for those wishing to gain new qualifications. Most universities offers scores of courses geared towards adults who want to keep up to date with developments in their field.


An advantage of technology is that you can now study online and there are plenty of courses on offer which can be completed over the Internet with timings to suit your lifestyle.


Full-time or part-time?


Last but not least is planning how work will fit around family obligations. Maybe part-time work is more suitable than full-time employment or perhaps you can even work from home. Again, technology has made this possible in many sectors.


Whatever your decision is, you will need to have a back-up plan for dealing with any unexpected matters like sick days or doctor’s appointments. This is where a good network of friends and family is vital. Find out how The Everyday Effect can make going back to work a little bit easier.